Seven Kings drug gang leader sentenced to 16 years

A “drugs to order” gang has been jailed for a total of 33 years.

Group leader Sahil Patel, 30, of Vernon Road, Seven Kings, previously pleaded guilty to possession of a self-loading pistol and ammunition.

He stood trial for possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was found guilty on Monday at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Patel, who led the gang which received more than 1,000 calls a day from users looking to buy drugs and have them delivered, was sentenced to 16 years yesterday.

The gang supplied crack cocaine and heroin across Redbridge, Newham and Barking and Dagenham.

Shenola Nightingale, 26, of Churchfields, South Woodford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and dangerous driving and was sentenced to three years and three months.

Hamza Patel, 26, of Abbey Road, Stratford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to six years and six months.

Imran Shahid, 35, of Boundary Road, Plaistow, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property – £1,290 in cash. He was sentenced to three years.

Roqib Ali, 37 of Sherrard Road, Forest Gate, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to two years and six months.

Aqib Mumtaz, 21, of Monega Road, Manor Park, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to two years.

Two other members of the group had previously admitted possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Tashin Ali, 23, of Wycombe Road, Gants Hill, was sentenced to four years two months and Adeyemi Adeniyi, 51, of Maxey Road, Dagenham, was sentenced to 30 months in March last year.

Patel’s operation advertised a phone number which drug users would call to order drugs.

More than 66,000 calls and 7937 text messages were made to this number within a 92 day period – an average of more than 700 calls and 86 texts a day.

Police estimate that about 750 individuals used this phone number.

A police investigation seized 620g of crack cocaine and 302g heroin with a street value in excess of £60,000.

Trident and Area Crime Command Det Insp Steve Meechan said: “The sentences handed out should serve as a significant deterrent to anyone involved in criminality of this kind.

“The harm caused across east London by these criminals cannot be underestimated and I’m pleased that they now face prison for a significant length of time. This is an outstanding result and reflects the professionalism and dedication of the Trident and Area Crime Command.